MP joins Paralympians in show of support

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, joined double gold medallist wheelchair athlete Hannah Cockroft and Paralympian Sam Ruddock at an event in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, to show her support for social care for disabled people.

The event, organised by disability charity Scope, was part of its ‘Britain Cares’ Campaign, which is calling on the Government to ensure that over 100,000 disabled people do not lose out on vital social care support which enables them to live independent, fulfilling lives.

The Care Bill will be debated by MPs in the House of Commons for the first time in the coming weeks.

While the debate on social care has mainly focussed on the demands of an ageing population, one third of social care users are working age disabled people.

However research by Scope has found that currently 4 in 10 disabled people who receive social care support say it does not meet their basic needs.

So far almost 30,000 people have contacted their MPs in support of ‘Britain Cares’ campaign, and on Tuesday Annette viewed an art installation of the hundreds of ‘I care’ photos sent in.

Annette Brooke said, “I was delighted to meet with Paralympians Hannah Cockroft and Sam Ruddock and to learn about how important the issue of good social care is to my constituents. As the Care Bill passes through the House of Commons, it is important that all MPs remember that one third of care users are working age disabled people and that social care must support them to live fulfilling, independent lives.”

Paralympic double Gold medallist Hannah Cockroft said:
“I am proud to give my support to the ‘Britain Cares’ campaign and to raise awareness of why social care is so important for disabled people. Social care supports thousands of disabled people to do the things that many take for granted – like getting dressed, washing, eating, or getting out and about to the shops. As a Paralympian, I am adding my voice to the tens of thousands who have already shown us that ‘Britain Cares’ about social care.”